The Must-See Gaeltacht Regions in Ireland

The official Gaeltacht regions in Ireland are counties Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Meath and Waterford. Each of these counties has specific locations where Irish is spoken and is considered the first language, but English is also spoken. These regions in Ireland love to welcome visitors and the locals enjoy sharing cúpla focal (a few Irish words) with anyone who has an interest!

The Gaeltacht regions tend to be in rural locations and are the unique corner stones that make Ireland so special. From Dungloe in Donegal, Connemara in Galway to Dingle in Kerry, these locations are some of the most naturally beautiful areas of Ireland. With a wealth of history, heritage and culture, the Gaeltacht provides the perfect opportunity to understand why the Irish language is so special and that the people living there are keeping the traditions alive.

The Gaeltacht Experience

The wonderful thing about the Gaeltacht regions in Ireland is the warmth of the locals and the community spirit. Everybody is so friendly and welcoming. The Emerald Isle is known for its traditions and customs and there is no better place than the Gaeltacht to fully experience the Irish way of life. The local pub is always a hive of activity where visitors are made to feel like regulars. There is no pressure when it comes to speaking Irish, but locals appreciate it when you give it a go!

Gaeltacht B&Bs

The Gaeltacht B&Bs are run by Irish families who speak the Irish language and welcome visitors to their home with a warm Cead Míle Fáilte. Just staying with an Irish family and listening to them speaking the Irish language is special. But if you want to fully immerse yourself in the Gaeltacht experience, hosts can provide information on cultural and traditional music events, Irish language classes and activities through Irish. You can even avail of informal language lessons provided by a family member, all completed in a relaxed and homely environment.